Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawTwelve’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawTwelve.’ The new variety is primarily characterized by having high fruit yield and moderate resistance to  Botrytis  fruit rot, powdery mildew,  Xanthomonas fragariae  and high temperatures.

Genus and species: Fragaria×ananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘DrisStrawTwelve’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry cultivar designated ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ and botanically known as Fragaria×ananassa. This new strawberry cultivar was discovered in Hillsborough, Fla. in December 2004 and originated from a cross between ‘Driscoll Sanibel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,298) and ‘Driscoll Bonaire’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,041). The original seedling of the new cultivar was first asexually propagated at a nursery in Shasta County, Calif.

‘DrisStrawTwelve’ was subsequently asexually propagated in Shasta County, Calif. and underwent further testing Hillsborough, Fla. for four years. The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs show typical specimens of the new cultivar at various stages of development as nearly true as it is possible to make in color reproductions. The photographs were taken from 5-month-old plants.

FIG. 1 shows overall plant habit including fruit at various stages of development.

FIG. 2 shows leaves of the plant with three leaflets.

FIG. 3 shows the fruit in longitudinal cross-section.

FIG. 4 shows the whole fruit.

FIG. 5 shows both the upper surface and lower surface of several of the flowers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following description of ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ is based on observations taken in Hillsborough, Fla. from 2005 to 2008. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ was taken from 5-month-old plants and the botanical descriptions of the comparison varieties, ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,475) and ‘Driscoll Sanibel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,298), were also taken from 5-month-old plants. Color terminology follows The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Table 1 shows selected plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel.’ Plant characteristics include plant habit, terminal leaflet length, time of flowering, and fruit production.

TABLE 1 ‘Driscoll ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Plant habit Flat Flat globose Flat Terminal leaflet 0.67 cm 0.73 cm 0.80 cm length Time of Between early Between very flowering and medium early and early Medium Fruit production, grams/plant 604 405 420

Table 2 shows plant characteristics of the new variety compared with plant characteristics of the commercial varieties ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel.’ Plant characteristics include plant height, diameter, number of crowns per plant, habit, the density of individual plants and the vigor.

TABLE 2 ‘Driscoll ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Plant height (cm) 17.5 18.8 16.0 Plant diameter (cm) 42.4 40.2 39.6 Number of 3 3 2 crowns/plant Habit Flat Flat globose Flat Density of Medium Medium Medium individual plant Vigor Between medium Between weak Between and strong and medium medium and strong

Table 3 shows leaf characteristics of the new cultivar compared with leaf characteristics of ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel.’ Leaf characteristics include terminal leaflet length and width in centimeters, length to width ratio, number of teeth per terminal leaflet, shape of teeth, color of upper side and underside of leaf, leaf shape in cross section, leaf blistering, leaf glossiness, number of leaflets, terminal leaflet margin, terminal leaflet length to width ratio, overall leaf shape and shape of leaf apex and base.

TABLE 3 ‘Driscoll ‘Driscoll Leaf Characteristic ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Terminal leaflet 0.67 0.73 0.80 length (cm) Terminal leaflet 0.69 0.75 0.81 width (cm) Terminal leaflet 1.0 1.0 1.0 length/width ratio No. teeth/terminal 25 23 20 leaflet Shape of teeth Rounded Rounded Rounded Color of upper RHS 147A (Dark RHS 147B RHS 147A surface of leaf yellow- green) (Dark green) (Dark yellow- green) Color of lower RHS 148C (Light RHS 148C RHS 148C surface of leaf yellow-green) (Light (Light yellow- yellow-green) green) Leaf shape in Slightly convex Flat Slightly cross section convex Leaf blistering Medium Medium Medium Leaf glossiness Weak Medium Medium No. leaflets 3 only More than 3 3 only Terminal leaflet Revolute Flat Revolute margin profile Terminal leaflet: As long as broad As long As long as length/width ratio as broad broad Terminal leaflet Orbicular Orbicular Orbicular shape Terminal leaflet Rounded Rounded Rounded base shape Terminal leaflet Rounded Rounded Rounded apex shape

Table 4 shows information about the petiole, the petiolule, the bract, and the stipule of the new cultivar compared to ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel.’ This includes petiole length in centimeters, petiole diameter in centimeters, petiole pubescence, pose of hairs on the petiole, color of the petiole, color of the petiolule, petiolule length in centimeters, petiolule diameter in centimeters, bract frequency per petiole, stipule length in centimeters, stipule width in centimeters, stipule pubescence and stipule anthocyanin coloration.

TABLE 4 ‘Driscoll ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Petiole length (cm) 10.0 9.9 11.1 Petiole 0.163 0.332 0.320 diameter (cm) Petiole pubescence Dense Medium Dense Petiole pose Upwards and Outwards Outwards of hairs outwards Petiole color RHS 145C (Light RHS 145A RHS 145C yellow-green) (Light (Light yellow- yellow- green) green) Petiolule color RHS 145C (Light RHS 145B RHS 145C yellow-green) (Light (Light yellow- yellow- green) green) Petiolule 1.208 1.023 1.033 length (cm) Petiolule 0.060 0.178 0.182 diameter (cm) Bract frequency 1 2 1 Stipule length (cm) 3.0 3.3 3.0 Stipule width (cm) 0.783 1.048 0.968 Stipule pubescence Medium Medium Dense Stipule RHS 145D (Light Between anthocyanin yellow-green) weak and coloration medium

Table 5 shows stolon characteristics of the new cultivar compared to ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel.’ These characteristics include the number of stolons, average number of daughter plants, the anthocyanin coloration of the stolons, the thickness of the stolons, and the pubescence of the stolons.

TABLE 5 ‘Driscoll ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Stolon Number Medium Average number 30 53 52 of daughter plants Stolon RHS 60B (Dark RHS 60A (Dark RHS 53A Anthocyanin red-purple) red-purple) (Dark red) Stolon Thickness Medium Medium Medium Stolon Pubescence Sparse Medium Medium

Table 6 shows inflorescence characteristics of the new cultivar compared to ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel.’ These characteristics include inflorescence position relative to foliage, time of flowering, relative flower size, flower diameter in centimeters (measured from petal tip to petal tip), petal shape, relative spacing of petals, petal apex, base and margin, petal length in centimeters, petal width in centimeters, petal length to width ratio, number of petals, petal color, calyx diameter in centimeters (measured on back of flower from sepal tip to sepal tip), diameter of calyx relative to corolla, diameter of inner calyx relative to outer, sepal shape, apex and margin, sepal length in centimeters (measured from sepal tip to point of attachment to receptacle), sepal width in centimeters, number of sepals, receptacle color and anther color.

TABLE 6 ‘Driscoll ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Inflorescence Beneath Level with Beneath position relative to foliage Time of flowering Between early and Between Medium (50% of plants medium very early at first flower) and early Flower size Medium Medium Large Flower diameter 2.457 3.019 3.147 (cm) Petal shape Orbicular Orbicular Orbicular Petal spacing Overlapping Overlapping Overlapping Petal apex shape Rounded Rounded Rounded Petal margin Entire Entire Entire Petal base shape Rounded Rounded Rounded Petal length (cm) 1.135 1.317 1.562 Petal width (cm) 1.136 1.460 1.492 Petal length/width As long as broad Broader As long ratio than long as broad Typical and 6 6 7 observed petal number Petal color RHS 155B RHS 155B RHS 155B (White) (White) (White) Calyx diameter 2.902 3.064 4.834 (cm) Calyx diameter Smaller to same Same size Larger relative to corolla size Inner calyx Same size Same size Same size diameter relative to outer Sepal shape Elliptical Elliptical Elliptical Sepal apex shape Truncate Truncate Truncate Sepal margin Entire Entire Entire Sepal length (cm) 1.001 1.131 1.661 Sepal width (cm) 0.514 0.546 0.785 Typical and 12 12 14 observed sepal number Receptacle color RHS 154B (Light RHS 2A RHS 150A yellow-green) (Medium (Light yellow- yellow) green) Anther color RHS 15A RHS 17B RHS 15A (Medium (Dark yellow- (Medium yellow-orange) orange) yellow-orange)

Table 7 shows fruit characteristics of the new cultivar compared to ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel.’ These characteristics include fruiting truss length in centimeters, fruiting truss diameter, number of berries per truss, fruiting truss attitude, fruiting truss color, fruit length in centimeters, fruit truss width in centimeters, fruit length to width ratio, fruit hollow length and width in centimeters, fruit hollow length to width ratio, fruit weight in grams, relative fruit size, predominant fruit shape, difference in shape between primary and secondary fruits, band without achenes, unevenness of fruit surface, fruit skin color, evenness of fruit color, fruit glossiness, insertion of achenes, achene coloration (sunward and shaded sides of berry) and the number of achenes per berry.

TABLE 7 ‘Driscoll ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Fruiting truss length 16.6 21.8 14.2 (cm) Fruiting truss length- Medium Long Medium general Fruiting truss 0.267 0.282 0.285 diameter (cm) at base of truss Number of berries 1 2 1 per fruiting truss Fruiting truss attitude Prostrate Semi-erect Prostrate Fruiting truss color RHS 144B RHS 144B RHS 144B at base of truss (Medium (Medium (Medium yellow-green) yellow-green) yellow- green) Fruit length (cm) 5.904 4.836 4.667 Fruit width (cm) 4.490 3.895 4.261 Fruit length/width 1.3 1.2 1.1 ratio Fruit hollow length 2.359 1.689 0.672 (cm) Fruit hollow width 0.823 0.708 0.269 (cm) Fruit hollow 2.9 2.4 2.5 length/width ratio Fruit weight (g) 37.9 27.3 39.0 Relative fruit size Large Medium Medium Predominant fruit Conical to Conical Conical shape bi-conical Difference in shape None or very Moderate Marked between primary & slight secondary fruits Band without Medium Medium Narrow achenes Unevenness of fruit Medium Medium Strong surface Fruit skin color RHS 185A RHS 45A RHS 46A (Dark purple-red) (Medium red) (Dark red) Evenness of fruit Slightly uneven Even Even color Fruit glossiness Medium Medium Between medium and strong Insertion of achenes Below surface Below surface Above surface Achene coloration- RHS 184B RHS 181C RHS 184B sunward side of berry (Medium (Medium (Medium greyed-purple) greyed-red) greyed- purple) Achene coloration- RHS 151C (Light RHS 151B RHS 151C shaded side of berry yellow-green) (Light yellow- (Light green) yellow- green) Achenes per berry 104 114 228

Table 8 shows fruit characteristics of the new cultivar compared to ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel.’ These characteristics include the harvest maturity, insertion of calyx, pose of calyx segments, size of calyx in relation to fruit, adherence of calyx, firmness of flesh, color of the fruit flesh, evenness of the flesh color, distribution of flesh color, hollow center, sweetness of fruit, acidity of fruit, texture of fruit when tasted, type of bearing, grams of fruit per plant.

TABLE 8 ‘Driscoll ‘Driscoll Characteristic ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Harvest maturity Mid-December to Early Mid- early April December December to to March early April Insertion of calyx Set above fruit Level Level Pose of calyx Spreading to Reflexed Reflexed segments reflexed Size of calyx in From same size to Same size From same relation to fruit larger size to larger Adherence of calyx Strong Strong Strong Firmness of flesh Firm Firm Medium Color of the flesh RHS 155B (White) RHS 155D RHS 155B and RHS 42B (White) and (White) and (Medium Red) RHS 40A RHS 42A (Medium red) (Medium red) Evenness of flesh Even Even Even color Distribution of Marginal and Marginal and Marginal and flesh color central central central Hollow center Small Small Absent to small Sweetness Medium Medium Between medium and strong Acidity Weak Weak Medium Texture when tasted Fine Medium Medium Type of bearing Partially Partially Not everbearing everbearing everbearing Grams of fruit/plant 604 405 420

Table 9 shows pest, stress and disease characteristics of the new cultivar compared to ‘Driscoll Atlantis’ and ‘Driscoll Sanibel’.

TABLE 9 Pest, Stress ‘Driscoll ‘Driscoll or Disease ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ Atlantis’ Sanibel’ Botrytis fruit rot Moderately resistant Susceptible Susceptible Powdery mildew Moderately resistant Susceptible Susceptible Xanthomonas Moderately resistant Between resistant Between fragariae and moderately resistant and resistant moderately resistant High temperatures Moderately resistant Moderately Resistant resistant

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

When ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ is compared to the female parent ‘Driscoll Sanibel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,298), ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ has greater fruit production, larger fruit and fewer daughter plants than does ‘Driscoll Sanibel.’ In addition, ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ has moderate resistance to Botrytis fruit rot and powdery mildew while ‘Driscoll Sanibel’ is susceptible to both diseases.

When ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ is compared to the male parent ‘Driscoll Bonaire’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,041), ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ is a taller plant with dark yellow-green leaves than ‘Driscoll Bonaire’ which has medium green leaves. In addition, ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ produces more fruit than ‘Driscoll Bonaire’ although ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ has fewer daughter plants. ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ is also moderately resistant to Botrytis fruit rot while ‘Driscoll Bonaire’ is susceptible; ‘DrisStrawTwelve’ is moderately resistant to powdery mildew and Xanthomonas fargariae while ‘Driscoll Bonaire’ is moderately susceptible to both diseases. 

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant as described and shown herein. 